SERIAL petitioner Mr. Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission to investigate whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and some ministers violated ethical standards as stated in the Constitution in making a mini-heart gesture while wearing official uniform during a group photo of the cabinet at Government House on Sep. 7, TV Channel 7 and INN News said today (Sept. 16).
He had earlier petitioned the National Anti-Corruption Commission to likewise check whether Paetongtarn had violated or failed to comply with ethical standards as stated in Section 17, paragraph two of Section 27, Section 170 (5) and Section 160 (4) (5) of the Constitution and forward the case to the Supreme Court for ruling if that is the case.
Ruangkrai also mentioned that Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga confirmed during TV Channel 8’s “People Talk About It” programme on Sep. 10 that it is not allowed to make a mini-heart gesture while wearing government uniform.
“It is not ugly or disgusting, it’s about the government uniform, I had mentioned this earlier,” he was quoted as saying.
Piraphan is the leader of Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party which is de facto led by former coup leader-turned-prime minister/now privy councillor Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Ruangkrai accused the Prime Minister of having initiated making the mini-heart gesture during the group photo with many ministers following suit including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit.
The finger heart, also called Korean finger heart gesture, is a trend that was popularised in South Korea since 1990s in which the index finger and thumb come together like a snap to form a tiny (mini) heart. The gesture was popularised by K-pop idols, who would often use the gesture to express their love and gratitude to their fans, Wikipedia said.
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Top and Front Page: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and some ministers making the mini-heart gesture during a group photo at Government House recently. Photo: INN News
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